and that typically means less cars on I-70, less hassle. However, a temporary lower speed limit may be imposed at certain times, so keep an eye out for signs along the route. Georgetown. From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen.Feb 18, 2020. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? Traffic will be heavy, but doable. A direct drive from Denver to Moab will take right around 5.5 hours to cover the 355 miles. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. Evans Scenic Byway, but there are many new ones you can add as well. State Highway 82 (SH 82) is an 85.3-mile-long (137.3 km) state highway in the U.S. state of Colorado. Change at West Glenwood Park & Ride for the RFTA service to Aspen. While on the road, keep to the speed limits and be aware of slow-moving trucks in the slow lane, which can impede your view of the road. 24 is more visually intimidating than 91 but shorter and prettier drive. What are the three main reasons that marine ecosystems so important? The distance on the drive from Denver to Aspen is, How long is the drive from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO? Denver to Aspen drive is a perfect starting point for your trip to the state of Colorado. From Leadville, youll hop on the US-24 East for half an hour before turning onto the CO-82 West, the highway that will eventually take you over Independence Pass and into Aspen. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The shuttle service is your third option to cross the mighty mountains and enjoy the scary drive from Denver to Aspen. If you are able to take this route, I would strongly recommend it. The Bustang has a mobile app users can download. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111852146', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver for many years and it is very convenient most of the time :-). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111526847', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane, then having a 2 hour drive sounds horrible. Hard to know in advance. Duration: 1-2 hours. Follow County Roads 106 and 108 to Dry Park Road (County Road 125) to Glenwood Springs for a quiet countryside drive. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? Fly from Denver (DEN) to Gunnison (GUC) Take the bus from Spencer & Hwy 135 to Mt Crested Butte Transit Center Drive from Mt Crested Butte Transit Center to Aspen 7h 21m $223 - $434 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Denver to Aspen by bus 21 Weekly Buses 4h 47m Average Duration $17 Cheapest Price See schedules Agree. There are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen, both are beautiful drives. My problem is that I get really bad anxiety when driving. Private Vacation Rental Apart from this amazing mountain hideaway with incredible views, you can find a range of options including studios, private rooms and condominiums. The drive is hilly, but in no way scary. You can call 877 315-7623 or go to cotrip.org for road conditions and construction. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. Click here to see their availability. Idaho Springs was once a bustling mining town where gold was discovered in 1859, and today there are several tours you can do to learn more about the mines and the impact they had on the city. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111480614', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car (your post didn't state that but assuming so), and after due diligence of checking the weather along I-70 in the mountains, if the weather is sunny/dry for the drive, I would plan to drive up much later in the evening on Friday. Thank you! Should be better in winter but who knows. Our flight gets in at 7:00 AM. If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen drive time would be around four hours. 2902 South Glen Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. If thats the case, you can take the Glenwood Springs Route instead. This is the only place in North America where you can do this, and it's a unique experience. You will take Highway 82. Then either catch a shuttle service or $7 RFTA bus (approx. Elevation: 9,426 feet Location: Connects Kremmling and Steamboat Springs, CO via US Highway 40 Why it's dangerous: If you want to make the trip from Denver to Steamboat Springs for some sweet. However, in this case, the route between Denver and Aspen features plenty of stunning natural beauty, including the Rocky Mountains and the White River National Forest. Prior to exiting off the I-70 for the last hour or so of the journey, youll find that this major highway is extremely well-kept, easy to navigate, and there will be places to stop for food or gas frequently, as this is one of Colorados most popular regions. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Aspen's largest fleet - over 250 vehicles. So, a trip to Aspen for two people costs around $3,285 for one week. Here, you are presented with two routes to get to Aspen: via I-70 to Glenwood Springs then Highway 82 to Aspen; or south to Leadville, Twin Lakes and Highway 82 . ASE That said, it is known to be stunningly scenic no matter which route you take. Is the drive from Aspen to Denver scary? Want to spend the night in Vail? Road Trip From Denver To Yellowstone National Park. If youre coming to vacation in Colorado, it is best to research your potential destinations; get to know the places well in advance and prepare yourself accordingly. Wait until noon and there likely won't be much, depending on weather and accidents. Everything in Aspen is expensive, from hotels to restaurants to Tchotchkes.Jul 21, 2014. I'd consider staying in the Denver area, preferably on the west side, then heading out very early on Saturday. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. If youre short on time and either have a flexible budget or have planned ahead to find the best airfares, you can travel from Denver to Aspen by plane. The journey from the Mile-High City of Denver to the upscale resort of Aspen is popular year-round, with great hiking and skiing. Click here to see their availability, Limelight Hotel This well-located 4-star hotel is the perfect place to base yourself in Aspen. . Bustang buses serve downtown Denver. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. Snow, ice, wind, and low visibility (clouds, fog, dark mornings and evenings) can turn an easy drive into a treacherous one. You can fuel up at the gas station at Idaho Springs 30 miles into your journey. You can also fly between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Aspen Pitkin County Airport (ASE), with at least four daily nonstop flights on United Airlines that operate year-round. more. I wouldnt recommend trying to get to Silverthorne to avoid traffic. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Check in, have a nice dinner, and be ready for skiing the next day. The drive is gorgeous and, although you reach some very high elevations, it is not scary if you stick to the main route: I-70 west to Glenwood Springs and then highway 82 south to Aspen. 2 How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? stay at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver. When the weekends arrive, there is a mass exodus from Denver as skiers and snowboarders head west toward the many ski areas off Interstate 70. You don't need a car to make the most of your time in Aspen: Your feet will suit you just fine in town, and the bus will get you to and from the ski areas in an affordable and timely fashion. 10 Best Stops on a Denver to Durango Drive, 2 to 3 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, 10 Best Stops on Denver to Salt Lake City Road Trip. If you are in a real hurry or if you have to be somewhere in Aspen on time, then taking a flight might be the best choice. In the last 72 hours, the cheapest one-way ticket from Denver to Aspen found on KAYAK was with United Airlines for $199. Click here to browse private rentals in Vail. If you decide not to go on the drive from Denver to Vail, then go on the Independence Pass route. Since you have a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Are you looking for the best ways to get from Denver to Aspen? !0% DISCOUNT FOR Colorado Mountain Express (www.cmex.com). How long can a foreign object stay in your ear? If you would rather not drive yourself and want to travel in style, book a Luxury SUV private transfer from DEN directly to your hotel in Aspen. Independence Pass closed for the season yesterday. We plan on renting a car (or taking the shuttle) and driving to Aspen for a couple of days. The drive is gorgeous and, although you reach some very high elevations, it is not scary if you stick to the main route: I-70 west to Glenwood Springs and then highway 82 south to Aspen. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This town offers some interesting insight into Colorados history and the importance of the mining industry in the development of the state, making it an ideal stop on the Denver to Aspen drive. Rental cars can be picked up at Denver International Airport or from various outlets around the city center, depending on your starting point. But once you reach the end of the byway at La Veta, which should take an hour or two depending on your speed, head west. The drive through Glenwood Canyon is quite stupendous, and if you have time and want to break up the drive, you can pause in Glenwood Springs for a soak at one of several hot spring resorts in town. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. And will be for several months. The Stairway to Heaven From the East: Hwy 285 west from Denver, Hwy 24 north, Hwy 82 west (open in nonwinter months) Each section gets better on this ascent of awesomeness. Because there's limited housing, limited rentals, and limited hotels and resort space, visitors have to pay expensive prices. They zoom past gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery at speeds up to 75 mph, burrow through the highest auto tunnel in North America, and switch back their way over two-mile-high Vail Pass. If you'd like to prepare further, you can virtually drive the route using Google Street View before you leave home. The interstate portion of The Glenwood Springs Route is a four-lane road, two in each direction, and features six gas stations. There's only one route to Aspen unless you want to drive a million extra miles. Keep in mind, Dry Park Road may not be drivable in winter. having a car in Aspen is a waste of money IMO, maybe you could get a one way rental? The reason for this is to let all the yahoos from Denver get themselves and their families up the hill after the work hour rush. Typically 10 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Risk Factor: The road from Aspen is not for those who fear heights. To speed up your travel even more and maximize your Aspen vacation, you can travel back from Aspen to Denver the same exact way. As one of the US' busiest roads, you can expect heavy traffic at times on I-70. Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass between Leadville and Aspen is a more heavily traveled alternative (and I made it up and over it twice last summer in a Toyota Corolla). The new shuttle to take is Roaring Fork Express since as of 2022 Epic Mountain Express no longer serves shuttles to Aspen. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This pizza establishment is absolutely iconic for native Coloradans, a popular spot for people to stop at after spending a busy day being active in the mountains before heading back to Denver. That would put you in Aspen ideally by 9am, assuming clear roads and no accidents. Don't miss the carne asada tacos, pozole, and pupusas. The distance on the drive from Denver to Aspen is 198 miles (319 kilometres) and takes approximately 4 hours by car if you stick to the relatively easy route that is a straight shot along the I-70 West for the majority of the journey. Center Fly from Gunnison (GUC) to Denver (DEN) GUC - DEN Glenwood Springs is a great place to stop, as it is home to the worlds largest mineral hot springs pool. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This scenic byway is all about the drive and less about the detours. However, check before you travel, as the service to Aspen is sometimes suspended. This area, called the Roaring Fork Valley, is home to a number of beautiful mountain towns located right along this highway. Answer 1 of 6: Hello All, My wife and I booked some last minute travel to Denver for the middle of November. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Alternatively we could stay the Friday night in Denver and leave for Aspen on the Saturday. Third scenario would be to hire a private shuttle. Congrats. Just about 20 minutes down the I-70 West from Idaho Springs, youll come across Georgetown, another quaint mountain town that makes for an excellent stop on a Denver to Aspen road trip, especially if youre travelling with children. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. Click here to check their availability, Not quite what youre looking for? Health related expenses are 3.5% more in Aspen. Stroll through downtown Leadville and take in the beautiful old Victorian homes and buildings, local shops and quaint cafes and imagine what life must have been like here back in the late 1800s before getting back on the road. Written by Carri Wilbanks Updated May 26, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). There are quite a few ways to get from Denver to Aspen, and each has its perks. Your best bet is taking an Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, which costs about $50 in coach for 5.5 hours. The population has grown ever since, with even more restaurants and hotels popping up near the mountain road every year. Most people prefer Aspen for its Maroon Bells and skiing trails, while Denver has a better variety of recreational spots. Answer 1 of 3: My sister and I will be driving from Denver International Airport on September 18th to Aspen. As mentioned, the one downside of the Leadville Route is that its often closed in the winter due to dangerous driving conditions. The Roaring Fork Express Denver to Aspen shuttle takes about 4 hours and costs $130 per person in a shared shuttle. Red Rocks. Aug 4, 2021 sightseeing, breakfast, lunch, etc? Where to Experience the Best Fall Foliage in the USA and When to Go! To: round-trip one-way. However, this won't alert you to current conditions, so we recommend checking with the Colorado Department of Transport for up-to-date travel advice. Denver is known as the Mile-High City, which means you are already at high altitude, so won't experience a major climb to reach Aspen. Click here to see their availability, Lodge at Lionshead This alpine lodge is an excellent choice for a place to stay at the base of Vail mountain. Cross the wide-open, high plains of South Park. There is also a new, free app "Cotrip planner". P.S. Day 1 10:00 am start in Aspen drive for about 57 minutes 10:57 am Glenwood Springs stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:57 am drive for about 49 minutes 12:46 pm Edwards eat at Beano's Cabin stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:46 pm drive for about 1 hour 2:47 pm Breckenridge stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:47 pm drive for about 1.5 hours The engineer will take you over the Devil's Gate Bridge and through the mountains. Pin this image to save these Denver to Aspen travel directions for later. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Aspen, Colorado I can tell you first hand, Aspen is not worth the expense. The best time to visit Aspen is from December to February. Fitted your vehicle with tire chains or alternate traction devices in snow is a legal requirement for vehicles below 16,001 lb. Which is better for you depends on your priorities. Any recommendations for stops along the way. They have countless chic, clean, and comfortable rooms available and great amenities to ensure you have a wonderful stay. If you want to take the more scenic route to Moab, take Route 128 from i70. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. For lunch or dinner, diners heading toward Aspen should stop in this relaxed Glenwood Springs restaurant that serves some of the very best Mexican food in Colorado. Who controlled the House of Representatives in 1982? Here are the most scenic routes for driving to Aspen. If you find yourself in Vail outside the ski season, theres still plenty to do in the area, including beautiful hikes, miles of mountain biking trails, and great fly fishing. Frontier also connects to take your right into Aspen Snowmass airport. Thanks for all the info, exited to pack our bags. Fortunately, Denver is home to numerous bistros, restaurants, and brewpubs to satisfy any appetite or dining budget. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is the oldest, first opening in the 1880s. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". It goes from Glenwood to Aspen is 4 lane all the way (except for the construction) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass. on places to stop on the way. Looking for other road trips from Denver? No traffic and no mountain passes. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. The drive is gorgeous and, although you . Press ESC to cancel. Roadtime to Aspen from Denver Airport (DIA) about 3 hours to each side, it depends on the season and weather conditions Denver to Aspen Distance: 240 miles Costs start from $ 619 for First-class SUV up to 3 passenger Free car seats for children less than 12 old Extra discount for groups of 8 or more persons in case of advance reservation online. Also, there is a lot of wildlife along a good part of CO 9 and Hwy 40 and you must use caution. Tunnel and over Vail Pass. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. Sit back and relax for the ride, get there when you want but not sure of your logistics in Aspen, if you require transpo. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. In summer, there are two different ways to get between Denver and Aspen: The most scenic route is via Highway 82 over Independence Pass, which is the highest paved state highway over the Continental Divide in Colorado. How long does it take to get from Denver to Boulder? Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 hour duration; you can catch the bus on 8th street). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. What is the formula for calculating solute potential? This stunning small town is nestled between two large glacial lakes and provides absolutely sublime views of the imposing Mount Elbert. Now, read on for a list of the best Denver to Aspen stops on a Colorado road trip! Aspen is one of the most renowned skiing destinations in the world and an epic summer getaway for outdoor adventure, so its no surprise that it draws in thousands of visitors every single year. (970) 945-7311. Accidents are common. This will be especially true over the weekend, as tourists and Denver residents head for Aspen, as well as the nearby resort of Breckenridge and to ski and hike in the surrounding areas. So, it's always advised to check travel advisories before you set off and to prepare for your trip accordingly. This resort can be seen from the highway, and it has a million-plus-gallon swimming pool fed by the Yampah spring, which is said to be the world's largest. Said Brian Penny, who blogs at ThoughtForYourPenny: "Aspen is the most overrated place I ever visited. If you'd like to take in the region's natural beauty, climb aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad ! 3. Then once you enter Utah you will be veering South on Route 128 or 191 to head directly into Moab. In fact, the incline to Aspen from Denver is just 2,650.87 ft over the 200-mile journey. We also have Grand Junction airport about a 2 hour drive away.Nov 11, 2011. Take a stroll along the hike/ bike path along the river (which goes forever). Get behind the biggest part of the Vail 100 and I have found it's pretty smooth sailing, albeit dark, to get up and over all of the passes. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. With a whopping four ski resorts nearby, its no wonder Aspen is famous for its skiing. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. She is an American living in Dublin, Ireland, and when she isnt writing, you can find her playing the guitar, reading, or pouring the perfect flat white at the caf she works at. While the drive is at high altitude, rest assured that you won't get too close to steep cliff edges. Click here to see their availability, Not quite what youre looking for? is the drive from denver to aspen scary. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. However, some drivers might find this route scary even in good weather, due to the high elevation, winding road, and the fact that portions of CO-82 run close to the steep cliff edge. The drive is around 200 miles and takes about four hours on the faster route. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? Leaving after 10:00 AM or so will put you after a lot of the traffic. From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen. The most expensive is to fly. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Is there a shuttle from Denver to Aspen anymore? You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. People who have stumbled upon Independence Pass would answer this question with a resounding YES! It is absolutely worth the drive. This ski-in, ski-out resort offers numerous plush rooms and countless other amenities that will ensure you have a fantastic time in this Colorado town. Alternatively, you can take the bus. A trip for two weeks for two people costs $6,571 in Aspen.Sep 21, 2020. From Denver, drive for about 30 minutes along the US-6 West until you reach the small town of Morrison, where Red Rocks is located. This could impact road conditions at short notice. Once you reach the West Glenwood Park and Ride, you can catch the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) bus L into Aspen. My wife and I are planning on arriving in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Answer 1 of 6: Hello All, My wife and I booked some last minute travel to Denver for the middle of November. Visiting Colorado and planning a Denver to Aspen drive? A visit to the Glenwood Hot Springs is the perfect way to relax and recover from all the adventuring youve been doing! It is a must-see state for all types of travellers, but particularly for those with a love for thrill-seeking outdoor adventures. 1 Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Aspen is truly a one-of-a-kind town where youll definitely want to spend a few days. That way, you have the choices of which stops to make. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. If you choose the I-70 route, after leaving Glenwood Springs youll get on the CO-82 highway for one final hour before reaching Aspen. You simply need to drive on 1-70 until you reach Glenwood Springs and then hop onto Highway 82 until you end up in Aspen. There are two main routes you could take from Denver to Aspen, which are of similar length and driving time.